First time..lots of ?

[bsjs0708]

OK so my Mom is coming with..I am REALLY happy she decided to come with us this time but she will be in a scooter. She is really concerned that she will put a damper on the vacation or slow us down is some way and I really need to ease her mind..she is the most generous and caring person that always thinks about others and I want her to just relax and enjoy. We are not early risers and plan to go at a much slower pace. Can someone please tell me how ride queues and load areas are with scooters. She is NOT completely reliant on the scooter but she is 82 and has arthritis and obviously does not have the stamina "younger" folks have. So I just want her to feel like she is really in the "most magical place on earth" Thanks for any and all advice-Julie

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

The majority of attraction lines in WDW are "mainstreamed". This means that a wheelchair or ECV will use the regular entrance and line all the way to either a show seating or ride load area. If a line is not mainstreamed there will be signs and/or Cast Members to direct you where to go.

If a show, normally there will be spaces to park a chair or ECV and there will be seats next to the space for other members of the group.

If a ride, usually you will have to transfer to a ride vehicle, although some rides will allow a person in a wheelchair to remain in their chair. If you have to transfer to a ride, and unload is not at the same location as load, your ECV will magically appear at the unload area.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. Note that Post #2 discusses mobility and equipment.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

Additionally, the first time I rented an ECV my wife was very happy because I was no longer slowing us down by having to rest every few minutes. And she found me be to be extra useful in going ahead to get fastpasses and also to carry all the junque we bought.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

You tell mom what I told my Mom is that any minor delays is nothing campared to watching her enjoy WDW with the family.......

Her other argument was she didnt want anyone having to push her around WDW..........(ok this was years ago before scotters)........well.in my case I told her I needed to lose some weight.*G* and there were 3 grand kids to help!

Enjoy your trip.

AKK

 

[peemagg]

I would also be sure to rent a scooter from off site. If you are not the type of people to get to the parks at opening, then there is a very good chance that the ones Disney has will have sold out.

 

[MacFam4]

My mom has to rent a scooter as well. On our first trip, she thought she could walk as long as we took breaks. This lasted for about 3 hours on the very first day. After that, we rented a wheel chair and pushed her around the rest of the trip.

A year later, our second trip, we rented a scooter from off site and this was SO MUCH BETTER!!! She had the scooter for running around the resort, plus we weren't exhausted from pushing her. Her scooter also came in handy to carry our backpack, etc. She is a very courteous scooter driver so we didn't have any problems with her accidentally running over people. She really didn't slow us down very much, other than loading and unloading the busses.

We're planning our third trip (together) next year and we'll be renting a scooter again. In the past couple of years, she's had major cancer surgery, knee and hip replacement. My parents thought they would never visit Disney again, and they love it almost as much as I do It really would be impossible for them without mom using a scooter.

Tell your mom not to worry, and just go and have fun

 

[Bete]

about the age and arthritis factors. You need to space your day with alternating between rides, shows, parades, fireworks, exhibits, live street entertainment, and eating. Eating is a great rest period. Shows are good rest periods. By alternating you will find your mom will have a lot more stamina. My 89 year old mother who has a lot of issues can last 8 to 10 hours in a park, as long as, it's not cold or raining. Believe it or not, you can take a nap in the first aid stations that's available in each park, if need be. I would tackle the harder rides early.

Some rides can be tough; because, you need to step down to get in and up to get out (like boat rides). On those ocassions I highly suggest someone going in before her to help her in and someone be behind her just in case she loses her balance, etc. Going out you give her a helping hand out and the one behind again is there for support. When there isn't room for three, one can still be behind and then go on another vehicle for the ride and help when the ride is over, as well. We did this with my mother-in-law who was 90 at the time; it works.

Keep in mind, your mom may need to use a restroom more; so, give her ample opportunities for it. Some restrooms are hard to spot like those in World Showcase at Epcot. You don't want to be caught in an awkward situation waiting in a long ride queue or whatever with the urge to go.

There are some rides where you can transfer into a wheelchair and the wheelchair can go right onto the ride where the scooter cannot. Example of this is It's a Small, Small World in MK. You will have to get a cast member involved; so, they can arrange to get a wheelchair.

There may be some rides she just doesn't want to go on in which case I think someone should keep her company while the others enjoy the ride. I wouldn't do too many roller coaster rides with her, as an example. Do a little shopping or grab a snack, etc. while others enjoy some of the rides without her. Prepare the family as a whole that there will be some comprises on this trip with grandma coming; you never want grandma to feel unwanted or that she is a burden to anyone.

Scooters are allowed access to handicap areas for shows and parades. These areas fill up fast; so, get there early. For restaurants you will have to park your scooter outside in most cases. Make sure you park where you don't interfere with entrances, etc.

Have your mom practice a little at home by using a free scooter at the grocery store, etc. Scooters at the parks have their challenges. You will be going through some sharp turns in ride queues. Have your party break up with some in front of your mom and some in back of your mom; keep her in the middle of your group. Parking a scooter in some tight spaces for the rides, etc. is challenging,too; so, it may be better for someone else to park the scooter. It will be faster to do it this way, as well. If you are on site using the buses with a scooter, it may be better for someone else to get the scooter in position on the bus The parks can be very crowded especially with you not utilizing early hours at the parks. You will have people (kids and adults) that will dart out in front of a scooter whereas your mom will have to stop fast or swing left or right to avoid hitting these people. Believe me, a horn really doesn't work in these episodes. Some scooters (especially the smaller ones) don't have headlights. We actually bring our own bike lights to mount on a rental scooter. At night the headlights help others to see you and it also helps you in some of the darker places of the park to navigate better. There are lights at the parks, but some areas can still be rather dark. If you stay until closing and use the buses (or monorail) to get to your Disney resort I would let the crowds get out before going myself. You don't have to be the last one out, but let the park thin out some. Also, be aware scooters can't jump curbs. You need to follow the same pathways as a wheelchair. Always remember to take your valuables with you when you leave your scooter for whatever reasons (including restroom) and take the key to the scooter, too.

Have a great trip with your mom.

 

[Mouse's Shadow]

I just spent 6 wonderful days at Disney with a friend using an ECV. We had a great time. She doesn't need to worry. There will be many others using ECVs so she won't feel out of place. I am the kind of person that just goes, goes, goes. My friend kept up just fine. My only suggestion is to carry the charger with you. In case the battery begins to run down, you can charge it while at a restaurant. Her battery didn't make it through one day. The company had to bring us a new battery to Epcot at 9pm. Everything worked out pretty well. I think the only reason we had trouble with it holding a charge later in our stay, was because we weren't at the hotel long enough to let it fully charge. It was that go, go, go thing. Who needs more than 5 hours sleep.

I do suggest renting one from an outside company. They will deliver to your hotel, before you arrive. Your mom will have it to get to and from the parks, and it is less expensive than renting one everyday at the park.

Have a great time. I hope your mom is able to leave her worries behind and just revel in the magic.

 

[bsjs0708]

Oh thank you everyone for the advice. I called apple who will deliver it and pick it up . We rented it for the whole week. I am just concerned with her trying to manuever the scooter so the hint about having her use ne at the grocery store sounds great...THANKS...you all are so helpful!!

 

[snow_white's_mom]

My poppop had the same fear the first time he went and needed a scooter. He is in his late 70's and has a hard time getting around and gets tired very easily. He rented the scooters at the park and LOVED it! The only problem was getting him from the parking lot to the scooter rental area. The next visit he rented a scooter from off site and had it with him all the time. It worked out much better! Also, DD LOVED going for rides on the scooter with him.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

We had DH's parents with us on one of our trips. MIL did not want us to get her husband an ECV. Said it made him feel old. Turns out she is the one feeling old. Point being the evc did anything but slow any of us down. In fact he was so thankful. Told anyone who would listen that haveing that scooter was the best thing he had done in years. Gave him a freedom he would not have imagened. So if any thing it made things easier. Tell her to just enjoy.

 

[IandGsmom]

I am glad I saw this thread since I had the very same questions My mom and dad are joining us for the first time next June and I am renting an ECV for mom since she broke her leg in a few places a couple of years ago and it hasn't been same since.
I was a little worried about the where to line up thing, especially leaving the resort. I hope it goes smoothly and I will make sure to get the EVC dropped off to us and picked up. I can't wait to take them!!!

 

[cmesq61]

Just a few thoughts to add to the other wonderful advice you've been given. I have MS, making stamina and coordination significant issues for me.

Restrooms: some are not conducive to taking your ECV in, and some are VERY challenging in an ECV. Be sure to have someone go in with her to scope out the layout and help her on/off and in/out.

Rides: don't underestimate how exhausting just the getting on and off of rides can be. As a previous poster suggested, space out the rides with shows, snack breaks, etc. Not sure what your time frame or schedule is like, but I now know that I can really only a few rides per morning, and then I really need to lay down.

Restaraunts: some don't have the room to ride up to the table in an ECV. At those places, I park my ECV and walk with my cane. Having to walk with the cane factors into how tired I get, and so factors into planning meals and rest breaks.

Have an awesome trip!!